Combination valve device for gas dispensing systems



Dec. 17, 1940. J WHITE 2,225,579

COMBINATION VALVE DEVICE FOR GAS DISPENSING SYSTEMS Filed June 20, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J6 I O wg/w/wym I a O Patented UNITED STATES COMBINATION VALVE DEVICE FOR GAS DIS- ,PEN SING SYSTEMS Loyd J. White, San Antonio, Tex., assignor to Southern Steel Company, San Antonio, Tex, a

corporation of Texas ApplicationJune 20, 1939, Serial No. 280,209

8 Claims.

tain features of the fitting shown in Patent No.

2,121,675 together with the pressure regulator, but designed for ordinary pressure fillinginstead of gravity filling and adapted to be connected to a standpipe in such manner that all of the parts are easily accessible from above the ground through the usual protecting easing. Another aim is to eliminate the usual separate manual cut-off valve and utilize the pressure regulator valve for that purpose, thereby further reducing the cost of manufacturing the fitting.

Other aims and advantages of the invention.

2 will appear in the specificatiomwhen considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: I

' Fig. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view, partly in elevation, showing the preferred form of fitting applied to an underground liquefied gas dispensing system;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig- 5;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line' 4-4 of Fig. 5 and Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the fitting shown in Fig. 1.

Referring particularly to the drawings, the improved fitting is shown as being applied to a liquefied gas dispensing system of the general type disclosed in Reissue Patent No. 20,624 and the aforesaid Patents Nos. 2,121,673 and 2,121,675.

buried in the ground and is partially filled with highly volatile liquefied petroleum gas, commercially known as butane, the liquefied gas being vaporized by absorption of heat from the surrounding earth. The tank is adapted to be filled and the gas dispensed therefrom through a standpipe ll extending from the top of the tank to a point near the ground level. Instead of emdisclosed in the aforesaid Patent 2,121,675 hav- In such systems, a pressure storage tank I II is' playing a unitary combination fitting of the type ing provisions for gravity filling and a separate pressure reducing regulator adapted to be connected to the service pipe, this invention provides a single combination fitting in which the necessary filling and dispensing appurtenances 5 are combined with one section of the pressure reducing regulator so that all of the necessary appurtenances are attached at one time to the upper end of the standpipe and it is only necessary to connect the servicepipe to the pressure 10 regulator casing to complete the installation.

In the present example the fitting embodies a main hollow body portion l2 having an internally screw threaded opening I3 adapted to bevconnected to the upper end of the standpipe It and 15 the joint is preferably made gastight by means of an ordinary packing nut It. The hollow body is shown as having chambers I5 and I6 separated by a transverse partition I! providing an antisplash bafiie and'shown as having an opening I8- 20 substantially coaxial with the standpipe. The hollow body is cast integral with the main section I! of a pressure reducing regulator having a low pressure chamber 20. The lower end of the regulator section is shown as having an integral 28 lateral arm 2| presenting an opening 22 adapted to be slipped over the upper end of the standpipe to provide a more stable support for the fitting and to guide the fitting when it is being screwed on the standpipe. The lower end of the low pressure chamber 20 of the regulator casing is shown as having an opening 23 to receive,the usual gas service pipe 24.

The pressure regulator has the usual diaphragm 25 and cap or cover 26 carrying an ad- Justable compression spring 21 acting on the diaphragm in opposition to a valve lever 28 pivoted at29 within a vertical conduit 20 in the upper part of the section l9. This conduit is shown as extending through the upper end of the regulator 40 section and is closed by an accessplug 3|. It

communicates with the upper chamber it of the body I2 through a conduit 32 extending laterally across the main section I! and this conduit is closed by means of a plug 83. That portion of 46 the conduit leading into the chamber It carries a cylindrical valve sleeve or casing 34 having a gas delivery nozzle 25 on its outer end adapted to be controlled by a valve 36 carried by the lever 28 of the regulator. This sleeve is shown as be- 50 ing seated in the conduit and held in the. position shown by means of a set screw 31' extending downwardly through an opening in the main section of the fitting l2. The inside of the sleeve is shown as having a substantially conical valve seat 38 controlled by a winged slug 39 acting as an excess flow check valve and the slugis shown as being retained within the sleeve by means of a pin 40. Incidentally, the sleeve is inclined 5 downwardly so that the excess fiow valve will remain open by gravity. However, if desired, an ordinary compression spring may be employed to keep the valve open.

In this instance, the usual manual cut-off valve fitting is dispensed with and the regulator valve 36 is employed to cut off the flow of gas from the tank to the service pipe. To that end, a screw threaded valve operating stem 4| extends through the plug 33 and is-adapted to be operated by a hand wheel 42. The inner end of the stem is adapted to engage the rear side of the lever 28 behind the valve 36 and hold it closed. When the valve operating stem is backed off as shown in Fig. 4, the pressure regulator functions in the usual manner to permit the fiow of gas generated in the tank through 'the standpipe and at the desired pressure of, say 6 ounces through the small nozzle 35 into the low pressure chamber 20 of the regulator and out the service pipe. This pressure can be regulated by adjusting the compression spring 21 in the usual manner. Incidentally, the main chamber 20 of the regulator carries the usual pressure relief valve 43 to prevent the pressure from being built up above a safe pressure in the service line.

The main part of the fitting or body I2 is here shown as being provided with a filling branch 44 within which is screwed a hose fitting 45 having a valve seat 46 in its lower end. It is adapted to be closed by an ordinary cap 41. A spring urged check valve 48-cooperates with the seat 46 and has a stem slidably mounted in a spider 49 in the lower portion of the branch 44. A back fiow check valve 50 is also carried by the spider, 40 being freely suspended below the spider and it is adapted to close automatically when the hose fitting 45 is removed to replace the valve 48. It

will be understood that liquefied gas is pumped or forced under pressure into the tank through the filling branch. The arrangement of the valves in the filling branch may be and preferably are substantially identical with those shown in the aforesaid Patent 2,121,675. The liquefied gas in this case flows through the branch 44 to the lower chamber I5 and is prevented from splashing upwardly into the service outlet by the partition I! which acts as a battle. The body l2 alsohas a second upstanding branch 5| on the opposite side from the. branch 44 and carrying a 5B pressure relief valve 52 which is also preferably identical with thatshown in said Patent 2,121,- 675., This branch likewise communicates with the lower chamber I5 of the body as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. no The top wallof the body I2 is shown as having an opening 53 to receive a'liquid level gauge 54 shown asbeing of the magnetic type having an operating rod 55 extending through the standpipe into the tank and adapted to be 0perated by the usual float 56. It will be noted that the gauge is directly above the upper end of the standpipe and the operating shaft 55 extends through the opening 18 in'the partition or baffle I1. The gauge-is shown-as being identical with 7 required by the underwriters to be buried in the ground at least two feet below the surface. It is also essential that the tanks be buried below the frost line which, in the coldest climates is more than two feet. The standpipe and the appurtenances in such underground systems are housed within the usual protecting casing 51 having a removable cover 58 as set forth in Reissue Patent No. 20,624.

From'the foregoing description, it will be seen that the improved combination fitting embodies all of the necessary safety and dispensing appurtenances and may be quickly assembled by an unskilled laborer. It reduces the number of possible leaky joints to an absolute minimum, having only two connectionsone to the standpipe and one to the service pipe. It can be manufactured at a relatively low cost and assembly at the factory insures that the various appurtenances are connected in their proper order and tested for possible leaks. All of the parts are easily assembled and the valves are readily accessible from above, for adjustments and re- I moval or replacement.

a pressure reducing regulator, said regulator having a casing integral with said fitting and being connected to operate said pressure reducing valve.

2. In a liquefied gas dispensing system having a pressure storage tank and a standpipe connected thereto, a single, composite valved fitting including a hollow body connected to the standpipe and carrying a filling valve, a pressure relief valve and a pressure reducing regulator, said regulator having a casing formed integral with the fitting and said fitting having a combined pressure reducing valve and manually operable cut-off valve connected to be operated by said regulator.

3. In a liquefied gas dispensing system having a pressure storage tank and a; standpipe connected thereto, a single, composite valved fitting including a hollow body connected to the stand pipe and carrying a filling valve, a pressure relief valve and a pressure reducingregulator, said regulator having a casing integral-with said fitting and said fitting having a pressure reducing valve connected to be operated by said regulator; and manually operable means to close said pressure reducing valve and cut off the supply of gas. g 4. In a liquefied gas dispensing system having a pressure storage tank and a standpipe connectedthereto, a unitary fitting comprising a hollow body carrying a filling valve, a pressure relief valve and a pressure reducing regulator, said regulator having a main section extending downwardly adjacent to the standpipe; and an of said casing embracing the standpipe and acting with said gas nozzle; means for convertserving as a guide when the fitting is screwed on the standpipe.

5. In a liquefied gas dispensing system having a pressure storage tank and a standpipe connected thereto, a single, composite valved fitting including a hollow body connected to the standpipe; branches communicating with the hollow interior of the body carrying a filling valve and a pressure relief valve respectively; a gas delivering conduit leading from the upper portion of the fitting carrying an excess flow check valve and a gas outlet nozzle; a pressure regulator casing having a main section integral with said fitting and carrying a pressure reducing valve coacting with said gas nozzle; and a screw-threaded manually operable stem connected to actuate said pressure reducing valve and convert it into a cut-off valve.

6. In a liquefied gas dispensing system having a pressure storage tank and a standpipe connected thereto, a single, composite valved fitting including a hollow body connected to the standpipe; branches communicating with the hollow interior of the body carrying a filling valve and a pressure relief valve respectively; a gas delivering conduit leading from the upper portion of the fitting carrying an excess flow check valve and a gas outlet nozzle; a pressure regulator casing having a main section integral with said fitting and carrying a pressure reducing valve cocomprising a hollow body carrying a filling valve and a pressure relief valve; a pressure reducing valve and a pressure reducing regulator having a main casing section integral with said body and communicating with the hollow interior thereof, said regulator being connected to operate said pressure reducing valve.

8.'As an article of manufacture, a unitary valved fitting for liquefied gas dispensing systems comprising a hollow body carrying a filling valve, a pressure relief valve and a gauge carried by the body; a pressure reducing regulator having a main casing section integral with the body; a gas outlet nozzle in the upper portion of the body discharging into the regulator; an anti-splash bafile in the hollow portion of the body to prevent filling liquid from entering the outlet nozzle; a diaphragm operated pressure reducing valve in the regulator coacting with said outlet nozzle; and manually operable means connected to convert the pressure reducing valve into a cut-oii valve.

LOYD J. WHITE. 

